St. Francis Man Pleads Guilty to Two Counts of Involuntary Manslaughter

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Christopher L. Two Lance, age 28, of St. Francis, South Dakota, appeared before United States District Judge Roberto A. Lange on September 27, 2011, and pled guilty to two counts of involuntary manslaughter. The maximum penalty upon conviction for each count is eight years of imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both.

The charges stem from an incident that took place on the evening of July 6, 2011, at approximately 6:40 p.m., when Two Lance was driving a motor vehicle in excess of the posted 65 mile per hour speed limit, had been drinking alcoholic beverages, and was under the influence of alcohol. Two Lance was observed driving recklessly before he ran into the victim’s vehicle. Both victims died as a result of the collision. Two Lance was driving the car at a rate of about approximately 99 miles per hour at the time of the collision. Two Lance, whose blood alcohol was determined to be .319, was also hurt as a result of the crash.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tim Maher.

A presentence investigation was ordered. Two Lance was released to the Department of Veteran’s Affairs for treatment pending sentencing.